Malta Summit: Stabilizing the Central Mediterranean Route

Context:

European Union (EU) leaders gathered at the Malta Summit in Valletta on February 3, 2017 and agreed on a set of concrete actions to better manage migration flows and save lives on the Central Mediterranean route. They also discussed the future of Europe and how to respond to the new challenges and opportunities ahead.

Outcomes:

The 28 EU leaders discussed the external dimension of migration. They adopted the Malta Declaration, which focuses on measures to stem the flow of migration from Libya to Italy. Over 181,000 irregular migrants arrived on the Central Mediterranean route in 2016, and the number of people dead or missing at sea reached a new record every year since 2013. With the spring approaching, EU leaders decided to take additional action to significantly reduce migratory flows, break the business model of smugglers and save lives. In particular, the agreed to step up cooperation with the Libyan authorities.

The EU leaders confirmed their support for the Presidency Council and the Government of National Accord backed by the United Nations. They also declared readiness to cooperate with Libyan regional and local communities as well as international organizations active in the country.

Priorities include:

Training, equipping and supporting the Libyan national coast guard and other relevant agencies;

Further efforts to disrupt the business model of smugglers through enhanced operational action by involving Libya and relevant international partners;

Improving the socio-economic situation of local communities in Libya, especially in coastal areas and at Libyan land borders on the migratory routes;

Seeking to ensure adequate reception capacities and conditions in Libya for migrants, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International

Organization for Migration (IOM);

Supporting IOM in stepping up voluntary return activities;

Enhancing information campaigns targeted to migrants.

EU leaders also emphasized the need to help reduce the pressure on Libya's land border by enhancing Libya's border management capacity and by working with neighboring countries.

The Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) is a multi-partner platform where development agencies, Governments, local authorities and civil society from around the Mediterranean convene in order to exchange knowledge, discuss public policies, and identify the solutions needed to address key challenges facing the Mediterranean region.